Bulgari – SerpentiForm exhibition

With the exception of Antarctica, the ubiquitous snake is practically found on every continent, whether in rainforests, deserts or mountains. Worldwide, there are more than 3,000 species with some growing more than nine metres long (30 feet) and others able to live for more than two decades. However, the serpent as a symbol in human culture has existed since the dawn of mankind. Perhaps the most well-known story of the snake is found in the Bible’s Book of Genesis where it is used by Satan to trick Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Speaking of the lume, rather than being applied directly to the bridges that it has instead been contained inside tubes made from a material called “ITR2,” which Bulgari touts as a distinctive composite material with metal-like properties and “laden” with carbon nanotube particles. Exactly how or why this material is helpful to the design is unclear. Carbon nanotubes can provide extremely black surfaces which absorb virtually all light, and have been used in watch dials like the Panerai Lab-ID Luminor Carbotech (hands-on here), so maybe the use of ITR2 is a visual improvement to diffuse or restrict the luminosity of this hour indicators.The crown of this timepiece works in an unusual fashion, with an integrated pusher that activates a red dot in 3 o’clock which suggests that the watch is in time-setting mode. Rotating the crown in this mode sets the moment, after which the next press of the integrated pusher causes the red dot to evaporate and locks the time-setting mechanism. While this should enable faster alterations than a typical screw-down or pull-out crown, wearers may need to take care not to accidentally engage the pusher with the rear of their wrists. Minor caveat aside, the odd mechanism does add some visual interest to the dialup, having the ability to watch the time-setting function engage and disengage.Within that the Bulgari Octo Tourbillon Sapphire defeats the manually-wound grade BVL 206, featuring a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock, 20 stones, and a generous 64 hour power reserve with a luminescent green power reserve indicator visible via the sapphire exhibition caseback. The circumstance is water-resistant to 5 ATM or roughly 50m, which is impressive considering the unusual layout element of a sapphire crystal ring running the circumference of the case. This allows for seeing the motion from any angle and helps to show those off lume-filled ITR2 tubes. The opinion comes attached to a rubber-lined black alligator leather strap with a titanium or an 18k pink gold folding clasp, based on the version.

Serpents abound in religions as well as in myths and legends. It may represent either good or evil, depending on one’s belief. Snakes can be symbols representing creation and destruction, life and death, and fertility. The ability to shed its skin as it grows led people to associate snakes with transformation, rebirth, immortality and even healing. Speaking of which, the caduceus, comprising two snakes coiled around a staff and surmounted with wings is used as a medical symbol.

Greek astronomer Ptolemy first catalogued the Serpens constellation during the second century. Serpens, the Latin word for serpent, is one of the Greek constellations found in the Northern hemisphere.

Serpent artefacts discovered from the second century A.D. include the statue of Osiris Chronorator with a serpent coiled around it and even the tomb guardian deity unearthed in Sichuan, China that is holding snakes.

A young Hercules, the Greek mythological hero who was the son of Zeus, is immortalised in a marble sculpture, estimated to be from the late second- to third-century A.D. depicts him strangling snakes. These two are among some of the artefacts currently on display at Singapore’s ArtScience Museum. Located at Marina Bay Sands, there are many interesting historical, cultural and artistic displays that are part of Bulgari’s SerpentiForm exhibition that began on 19 August 2017 and will run till 15 October 2017.

First held at the Museo di Roma, Palazzo Braschi in Rome, Italy from March to May 2016, the current SerpentiForm exhibition at ArtScience Museum is held on a much larger scale as it occupies the space in all ten petals of this iconic lotus-inspired building that is also called the “Welcoming hand of Singapore” by the Chairman of Las Vegas Sands, Sidney Sheldon. The ArtScience Museum building, designed by Moshe Safdie, is itself a sight to behold.

At the SerpentiForm exhibition, one will not miss the 70-metre visual installation that features 500 video-mapped scales and floating Serpenti creations “slithering” along the museum’s walls. For us, this is merely a nice modern distraction; the key attractions are the artefacts, artwork and historical Bulgari Serpenti watches exhibited. The exhibition was curated by Lucia Boscaini, Bulgari Brand and Heritage Curator.

At the antiquities section, we were fascinated by the artistry of ancient civilisations, as evidenced in the form of a silver bracelet from Macedony and made during the 5th century B.C.

There is even a section on dresses depicting the snake. Highlights here include the robe used in the 1987 movie The Last Emperor directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and the costume worn by Jaye Davidson who played Ra in the 1994 sci-fi movie Stargate.

Of course, what is a Serpenti exhibition without the iconic Bulgari Serpenti wristwatches? It was during the 1940s that Bulgari began using the serpent as a symbol and inspiration for its watches. Flexible and coiled bracelets in gold were made to wrap around the wrist. Attached to the coiled bracelet was a snakehead that concealed the dial and watch movement.

Don’t be surprised to see brand names such as Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre on the Serpenti dials too as movements from these brands were used. Also on display is the platinum Bulgari Serpenti necklace featuring chalcedony, rubies and diamonds made specially for this SerpentiForm exhibition.

The SerpentiForm exhibition is well worth a visit for those curious about how snakes are viewed by different cultures. It isn’t an exhibition catered for female visitors. Rather, it is a well-paced cultural and historical immersion into the world of snakes and how humankind has interpreted and given meaning to this creature.